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Great-tailed Grackle Identification

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The Four Keys to ID

  • Size & Shape

    Male Great-tailed Grackles are long-legged, slender blackbirds with a flat-headed profile and stout, straight bills. The male’s tapered tail is nearly as long as its body and folds into a distinctive V or keel shape. Females are about half the size of males with long, slender tails.

    Relative Size

    Exceptionally long-tailed and large songbird. Much smaller by weight than an American Crow, but about the same length.

    Relative Sizebetween robin and crowbetween robin and crow

    Measurements
    • Both Sexes
      • Length: 15.0-18.1 in (38-46 cm)
      • Weight: 3.7-6.7 oz (105-190 g)
      • Wingspan: 18.9-22.8 in (48-58 cm)